Myanmar lifts aid block for Kachin rebel territory: UN

The United Nations says it has been allowed to deliver emergency aid to northern Myanmar for the first time in nearly a year.

A 10-truck convoy led by the UN is en route to the rebel-held territory of Kachin with food and other essential items for displaced people in the area.

The government and the rebels last month reached a preliminary ceasefire agreement in a bid to end a conflict that has forced around 100,000 people to flee their homes.

More than half of the displaced are living outside of government-controlled territory, according to the UN, whose missions had been on hold since July 2012 due to a lack of permission from the authorities.

"The cross-line convoy represents a positive step forward by the government to help all people in need across Kachin State," the UN's Yangon humanitarian coordinator, Ashok Nigam, said.

"It is crucial for this convoy to be the first of many, and that regular and unimpeded access to all people displaced in Kachin State is sustained," he said.